On fertile ground: An initial evaluation of green care farms in the United States

ABSTRACT

Green care farms (GCF) provide unique opportunities to persons with disabilities to engage in meaningful and therapeutic activities in farm settings. In this pilot study, the researchers examined the feasibility and impact of the first GCF in the United States. Qualitative interviews (N = 19) and thematic analysis were conducted. GCF participants and family members were enthusiastic about participation and identified benefits such as respite and improved mood. Administrators and farmers indicated that GCF challenged the status quo of funding, programming, and farming. Administrators speculated that the future success of GCF relies upon administrative expertise, local relationships, and managing risk and liability.

KEYWORDS:

• Adult day services
• green care farms
• persons with disabilities

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Maarten Fischer and his colleagues for their invaluable assistance with this project.

Appendix

Semistructured interview protocols

GCF Participants

• What types of things do you do at the farm?

• How do you feel when you are helping out on the farm?

• What made you interested in participating in the care farm program?

• How would you compare the care farm program with the “regular” day care program?

• Do you feel differently from days when you are not helping out on the farm?

• What are your most favorite things about coming to the farm?

• What things to you wish were different here on the farm?

• Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about your time here on the farm?

Family Members

• What made you interested in having (name) participate in the GCF program?

• What aspects of the GCF program are different from the “regular” day programs?

• What are your impressions since (name) started participating in the GCF program?

• Has (name) spoken about their experiences? If so, what have they said?

• Have you noticed any changes in mood or behavior that may be related to their participation in the GCF program?

• What has been the impact of the GCF program for you?

Program Administrators

• Who does the GCF program serve and what are the eligibility criteria?

• What are the number of participants and the number of farms involved with the program?

• How is the program funded? Is it cost effective?

• What were the challenges to establishing the GCF program with: (a) participants; (b) families; (c) farmers; (d) HCBS providers and case managers; and (e) funding agencies?

• How did you address these challenges?

• How are the established protocols delivered to the farmers (e.g., training, education)?

• What measures are in place to maintain the GCF program?

• What factors do you think must be in place to make the GCF programs “care as usual” and to expand this statewide and/or nationwide?

Funding Administrators

• What were the challenges and concerns regarding the establishment of GCF from a funding standpoint?

• How did you overcome these challenges and concerns?

• What are your expectations and requirements in terms of services provided on GCF?

• How do you monitor this to ensure fidelity and consistency?

• What do you see as the future of funding for GCF?

• Could GCF programs expand to other areas? What are the challenges to doing so?